The initiative explores normative and positive approaches to the future of humankind, especially as that future is affected by climate change. The initiative features a wide-ranging dialogue across disciplines and world regions, with considerable attention to ethics. The emergent areas of study include:

the normative foundations and environmental and social consequences of climate policies;

the meaning of humanity’s collective future;

communication and action in the face of deep uncertainty;

the strengths and limitations of quantitative valuation for problems laced with fragile values;

international equity in the presence of global environmental constraints; and

virtue, moderation, and the good life

As a component of this research program, a study group led by Marc Fleurbaey and Robert Socolow is exploring refinements of current integrated assessment models that make ethical foundations explicit and that improve the treatment of inequalities and risks.